The Gallery at Queen’s Park played host to a pop-up exhibition by some local VIPs this past weekend.
The gallery hosted an exhibition called Mother Earth, Father Sky, featuring the work of students from Queen’s Park Preschool.
The three- to five-year-old artists had a chance to see their work on the gallery walls and to share it with their family and friends and the community at large. The exhibition ran May 27 and 28 – alongside all the other summer fun happening over the weekend in the city, including the Hyack International Parade and Uptown Street Fest.
Congratulations to all the young artists (and to their grown-ups, too).
TRADITION!
A group of high school performers from around the region are bringing a Broadway favourite to the Anvil Centre stage this Friday.
Langley-based U-Connect Performers is staging Fiddler on the Roof at the Anvil Centre Theatre on June 2. The group, which is directed by Langley school teachers, includes senior high school students from around the GVRD.
Fiddler, of course, is the classic story set in the small Jewish community of Anatevka in Czarist Russia, chronicling the life of the milkman Tevye while he attempts to instill traditional values in his five daughters in the face of the rapidly changing world around him.
“Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness,” a press release says.
Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $12, available through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.
YES, YOU ARE AN ARTIST
Always had a hankering to try your hand at painting? 100 Braid Street Studios is continuing with its popular paint and sip nights, which offer up beverages and appetizers and the chance to create your own artwork under the step-by-step instruction of a professional artist.
Each night is run on a different theme. Some of the upcoming paintings include Vancouver Skyline on Friday, June 9; The Forest Watcher (owl painting) on Wednesday, June 14; Summer Pacific Northwest Birch Trees on Friday, June 16; and Summer Dock on Friday, July 14. Note that the Forest Watcher night is a “dry” paint night for people aged 14 and up, so those who choose not to drink can take part (instead, you can enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, tea or lemonade).
Each night costs $35 per person, or $60 for two people signing up together.
See www.100braidststudios.com for all the details about the classes.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS
This one’s for all the artists out there. If you’re looking for a way to connect with your community, why not take part in the New West Cultural Crawl? The annual crawl, which will take place Aug. 12 and 13, lets people travel around the community visiting artists in studios and galleries.
This year’s crawl is currently calling for artists of all forms, genres and levels of experience. You can submit your portfolio and artist statement to [email protected] to be considered for this year’s Cultural Crawl weekend. Check out www.newwestculturalcrawl.com for details, or check out www.facebook.com/NWCulturalCrawl.
WRITING WINNERS
Love the written word? Treat yourself to an afternoon of award-winning writing – and enjoy a great cup of coffee while you’re at it.
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is holding an awards afternoon for its fifth annual Write On! Contest on Saturday, June 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The fun is happening at Old Crow Coffee Co., where the first-, second- and third-place winners in each category (poetry, fiction and non-fiction) will read their work. Judges Chelsea Comeau, Bryant Ross and Alvin Ens will also be on hand, and the event will be hosted by Janet Kvammen and RCLAS president Nasreen Pejvack.
Arrive early to order a beverage and get a good seat. Old Crow is at 655 Front St. Check out www.rclas.com for details.
WORKSHOPS OFFERED
If you’re interested in writing, you live in the right city. (Or should that be the “write” city?)
The Royal City Literary Arts Society has a host of events coming up for local writers.
On Thursday, June 1, Alan Girling leads the next Wordplay writing-prompt session from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Buy-Low Foods Community Room at 555 Sixth St.
On Friday, June 2, the society is joining forces with the Writers’ Union of Canada, Inanna Publications and the Vancouver Public Library to host a session called Celebrating the Arts of Fiction, Poetry and More. It takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakridge branch of Vancouver Public Library (191-650 West 41st Ave.) and will showcase Michael Mirolla, Nasreen Pejvack and Aidan Chafe.
On Tuesday, June 6, it’s Tellers of Short Tales, hosted by Nasreen Pejvack and featuring Phyllis Marie Jensen. There’s also an open mike portion. It takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the New West Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave.
Then, on Saturday, June 10, Susan Millar leads a workshop called 7 Script-Writing Rules to Create Videos With Punch – including instruction, an in-class case study, group brainstorming and Q&A time. That one costs $15 for members or $25 for non-members and takes place on the fourth floor at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
FOR THE SONGWRITERS
Just a reminder for all you singer-songwriters out there – the next Songwriters Open Mike night is coming up Tuesday, June 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Grill’s backroom (447 Columbia St.).
The night is hosted by Enrico Renz, Lawren Nemeth and Poul Bech, and it’s open to all songwriters performing their original music.
Or, if you prefer, you can stop in to eat, drink and enjoy the music of others.
Check out RCLAS New Westminster Songwriter Open Mic on Facebook for details.
A CAPPELLA FUN
Love a cappella music? Here’s one to jot in your datebook.
The Soundscape a cappella chorus is coming to New West to perform two shows at the Columbia Theatre on Saturday, June 10.
Soundscape is an auditioned, mixed-voice a cappella group with repertoire spanning different eras, including great show tunes and jazz standards. The June 10 concert is called Hey, Dad!, following the experiences of a young musician as he travels the world.
Performances are set for 2 and 7:30 p.m., with doors opening an hour ahead. Tickets are $20 regular, or $25 for VIP seats. Student tickets are $15. Food and bar service will be available.
See www.soundscapesings.ca for more, or buy tickets through www.soundscape2017.brownpapertickets.com.
SKETCH COMEDY
In need of some laughter in your life? Check out The Return of the Sketchmates, a night of comedy at the Douglas College Studio Theatre.
The night features professional writers and actors in an evening of sketch comedy. Featured performers include Catherine Falkner, Lenard Stanga, Eden Philp, Dwight Anglehart, Jordan Samek, Morgan Emsley and Connor Dennis.
Shows are on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17, at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through www.eventbrite.ca (search for The Return of the Sketchmates).
The studio theatre is at Douglas College’s New West campus, 700 Royal Ave. (enter on the Royal Avenue side).
FOR THE KIDS
Get kids interested in literature starting right now.
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is holding another edition of its Children’s Chronicles series on Saturday, June 24 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Author Gary Pryke will lead the session, which combines storytime, writing and discussion for kids aged eight to 12. It’s taking place in the Island Room at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave. It’s free, but sign up ahead. Check out www.rclas.com or email [email protected] for details.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
